The Federal Government has disclosed that eight suspected kidnappers were arrested while several others were neutralised during the rescue operation that secured the freedom of pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed the details on Friday in a follow-up post on his verified X account, shortly after announcing the release of the victims.
According to Onanuga, the rescue was carried out without any concession to the abductors, stressing that the government did not negotiate with the terrorists or grant their demand for the release of a detained kingpin.
He said the eight arrested suspects are currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while other members of the criminal gang were neutralised during the operation.
“Updated: In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised,” Onanuga wrote.
He added that there was “no quid pro quo” in the operation, noting that the kingpin whose release was demanded by the kidnappers remains in custody and is being prosecuted for offences related to terrorism.
“The security agencies will give full account soon,” he added.
The rescued pupils and teachers had been held captive for several weeks after armed men attacked three schools in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area on May 15.
During the attack, one teacher was killed, while another was later beheaded by the kidnappers in a video that sparked widespread condemnation across the country.
The Federal Government said security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive briefing on the rescue operation.
